Draft rigging



June 19, 1934. D. s. BARROWS 1,933,066

DRAFT RIGGING l Filed May 29, 1928 2 Sheets-Sheet l June 19, 1934. D. s.BARRows DRAFT RIGGING Filed May 29, 1928 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 .d nmnw Bulma3,43

Patented June 19, 1934 UNITED STATES 1,963,666 DRAFT RIGGING Donald S.Barrows,

The Symington Company,

Rochester, N. Y., assigner to New York, N. Y., a

corporation of Maryland Application May 29, 1928, Serial No. 281,464

20 Claims.

This invention relates to railway draft rigging and more particularly toa combined striking casting or coupler guiding device adapted to receivereplaceable wear blocks resiliently held in place for permittingvertical angling of associated couplers.

The principal object of my invention, generally considered, is toprovide a combined casting formed with portions serving, respectively,as a coupler stop or striking casting and a sill tie member or couplercarrier iron and provided with means for connecting said casting to theassociated sills and cover plate of a car, removable wear blocks beingprovided above and below the stem of an associated coupler, whereby uponremoval thereof the coupler of the swivel butt type or one with arelatively large butt may be readily applied or removed, resilient meansbeing provided for urging said blocks into normal positions whilepermitting movement thereof away from each other to allow for verticalangling of an associated coupler.

Another object of my invention is to provide a combined striking castingand coupler carrier member suitable for use with a swivel butt couplerand adapted to resiliently support top and bottom blocks simultaneouslyretained by common fastenings and so formed that upon removal thereofthe butt of a swivel butt coupler may be readily applied or withdrawn.

A further object of my invention is to provide a combined strikingcasting and sill tie member adapted for receiving striking and carrierblocks, respectively disposed above and below the stem of an associatedcoupler, said blocks being resiliently held in place and adjustable upand down to correct the coupler height and keep the top clearance at apractical minimum.

A still further object of my invention is to provide a combined strikingcasting for use with railway rolling stock adapted to receive strikingand coupler carrier wear blocks which are interchangeable, reversibleand renewable upon wear or breakage and resiliently held in place forpermitting vertical angling of the associated coupler.

An additional object of my invention is to provide a combined castingadapted for connection with the center sills of a car and provided witha sill tie portion adapted to support a coupler carrier block and astriking portion formed with pockets adapted to receive a similarstriking wear block, those portions of the casting receiving said blocksbeing large enough to permit limited vertical movement of said blocks,adjusting washers or liners being provided between said blocks and thecasting for positioning the same at the desired elevations, commonretaining pins or bolts being also provided for holding said blocks inplace and spring means surrounding said retaining means for resilientlyholding said blocks in place while permitting movement thereof to allowfor vertical angling of the associated coupler.

Other objects and advantages of the invention relating to the particulararrangement and construction of the various parts will become ap: parentas the description proceeds.

Referring to the drawings illustrating my invention, the scope whereofis defined by the ap# pended claimsi Figure 1 is a plan view, partly inhorizontal section, illustrating an embodiment of my combined castingwith an associated coupler, yoke, connectiing key and center sills.

Figure 2 is a vertical longitudinal sectional view of the constructionshown in Figure 1, the associated coupler being illustrated in sideelevalOl'l.

Figure 3 is a front elevational view, partly in vertical section, of thecombined casting, the as' sociated coupler being removed.

Figures 4, 5 and 6 are fragmentary views cor-` responding to Figure 3,but showing three other embodiments of my invention.

Figure '7 is a fragmentary horizontal sectional view, corresponding tothe line '7-7 of Figure' 3, but showing a modification.

Referring to the drawings in detail, like parts being designated by likereference characters, and first considering the embodiment of myinvention illustrated in Figures 1, 2 and 3, there is shown a combinedcasting 1 formed with a coupler striking or stop portion 2, a couplercarrier iron or sill tie portion 3 and vertical side or connectingportions 4. Said side portions are preferably formed with rearwardlyextending ear or web portions 5 lying on the outside of and adjacent theweb porti-ons 6 of the center or draft sill 'l and connected thereto bya plurality of rivets (not shown). Said web portions are also preferablybifurcated or formed as upper and lower sections 8 and 9, respectively,leaving notches 10 therebetween, said notches partially embracingcorresponding associated ycenter sills for the reception of the usualform of draft key 11. For strengthening the webs of the sills around theslots therein rearwardly of the sections 8 and 9, vpartial cheek platesof the usual form (not shown) may be provided to supplement saidlsections 8 and 9 which form, in effect, the forward portions of cheekplates.

The striking portion 2 is preferably formed with a rearwardly extendingweb or flange 12', preferably downwardly offset with respect to thestriking portion, so that the top thereof lies on a level with the topsof the sills '7 and is adapted for connection with the sill cover plate(not shown), said web being apertured for rivets, as indicated at 13.The web or shelf portion 12 is preferably slots provided thestrengthened by a depending web or ange 14 and rearwardly extendingtapering webs 15 Whichgraduallydecrease in depth and merge into the web12.

The upper ends of the side portions 4 are formed with pockets 16 definedby the uppermost web of the striking portion 2, the vertical webs 17 ofthe side portions 4, which at the pockets 16 are preferablyoutwardly'oifsetas illustrated, horizontal portions 18 extendinginwardly from said webs 17 and the depending flange or web portions 14,previously described. Disposed in said pockets 16 is a striking wearblock 19, the ends of which rest and are supported on the horizontalportions 18 and the front web of which normally extends slightly forwardof the front edge. of the striking portion 2, whereby upon buff theassociated coupler 26, pivotally v mounted for vertical angling on, andconnected to the'associated yoke bythe key 1l, normally engages the wearblock 19 and relieves the striking portion 2 of wear. The pockets 16 arelarger in Vertical dimension than the wear block 19, wherebyverticaladjustment of said block is permitted, said adjustment being desirablyeffected by positioning shims or washers 2l above or below said block asdesired. Fig. 2 shows three shims below each end of the block 19 andFig. 3 shows two shims above each end of said block. Said wear block 19is desirably formed box-shape in section 'or as a hollow beamsubstantially rectangular in cross section.

A 'similar construction is provided above the sill tie portion 3, thelower ends of the sides 4 being for that 'purpose provided 'with pockets22, preferably of approximately the same size as the pockets 16 anddefined by slightly offset portions of the webs 17 and overlyinghorizontal portions 23 from said webs and the upper web 24 of the silltie portion 3. A lower or carrier wear block 25 is received in thepockets 22 and said block is, for convenience, preferably constructed ofthe identical size and shape as the block 19, both of said blocks beingpreferably retained in position by common fastening'orconnecting means.As in connection with the b1ock'19, the pockets 22 are preferably formedlarger than the ends of the block 25 and washers 26 are provided foradjusting the height of the carrier block 25. Said connecting means inthe present embodiment takes the form of vertical pins or rods 27received in pockets 28 in the sill tie portion 3 or upper web 24thereof, registering apertures'29 in the carrier block, 30 inthe washersor liners 26, 31 in the portions 18 'and 23 of the sides 4 of saidcasting, 32 in the wear block 19, 33 in the washers or liners 21, and 34in the top of the combined casting or striking portion 2 thereof.

For securely locking ythe rods or pins 27 in place the striking portion2 of the casting is preferably formed with upstanding collars or bosses35 around the apertures 3a, which are provided with horizontal apertures36 therethrough for receiving cotters or other retaining devices 37,whereby undesired removal or loss of the pins 27 is prevented.

vIn order to provide for vertical angling of the associated coupler 20,means are providedfor permitting movement ofthe blocks 19 and 25 awayfrom each other upon vertical angling of said coupler, said means intheV present embodiment taking the form of coil springs 38 disposed inthe .ends of the wear blocks 19 and 25 and urging apartfollowers orbushings 39 received inthe apertures 29 and32in said blocks 25 and 19,re-

spectively. Said followers are preferably formedv with outwardlyextending portions ,40 engaging the adjacent portions of the combinedcasting or associated washers, and flange or rim portions 41 fitting incorrespondingly enlarged portions i2 j in the wear blocks 19 and 25 andserving to retain said followers in assembled position. The springs Y38are so formed that they are normally under a desired amount of initialstress so that the blocks 19 and 25 are normally retained in positionwith the angesll of thefollowers 39 forced against Vthe adjacentportions of the wear blocks, as illustrated particularly in Figure 3.

It will be apparent thatupon vertical angling of the coupler 20 in anupward direction after the normal clearance between said coupler and thewear block 19 is traversed,- the block 19 will move upward against thepressure of the corresponding springs 38, the lower followers orbushings 39 at the same time moving upwardly toward the correspondingupper followers or bushings 39 and compressing the springs 38therebetween. Upon downward angling of the coupler 2G, correspondingdownward movement of the wear block 25 is permitted in a similar mannerwithin the limits of movement provided, or until said wear block engagesthe upper web 24 of the sill tie portion 3 of the-combined casting,-thelower followers 39 at this time standing with their lower ends flushwith the lower sides of the wear block 25, the upper followers havingbeen moved toward the lower followers in the block 25 andcorrespondingly compressed the associated springs 38.

It will be apparent that there is normally no movement of the upperfollowers or bushings 39 with respect to the lower block 25, normovement of the lower followersr39 with respect to the upper block 19,said followers, however, being desirably provided for making said blocksinterchangeable and reversible and avoiding incorrect application ofsaid blocks in the combined casting.

Referring now to the embodiment of my invention illustrated in Figure4l, a construction is there disclosed in which'theV resilient means orcoil springs 38a are seated in .the striking casting rather than in thewear blocks 19a and 25e. For that purpose the lower portion of the silltie 3e of the casting is provided with webs 43 formed with pockets orapertures 28L receiving the retaining pins 27a which, asin the previousembodiment, extend through the side portions 4e of the casting lethrough registering apertures in the blocks 19a and 25a, as well asthrough corresponding apertures in the striking portion and sill tieportion of the casting. The apertures 4e through the upper web 24e ofthe carrier portion 3a receive sleeves or followers 39a formed tocorrespond with the followers bodiment and urged upwardly intoengagement with the lower face of the wear block 25a. Said follower-s39a extend above the web 24a to normally retain the block 25e elevatedabove said web, as in the previous embodiment, while permitting said-block to move downwardly upon downward angling of the associatedcoupler until it engages the web 24a. As in the previous embodiment,washers 26a may be employed for adjusting the height of the wear block25e.

The construction adjacent the striking portion 2a may correspond withthe adjacent sill tie portion 3a, the upper coil springs 38a beingreceived beneath webs l5 spaced from the top of the striking portion 2aproper said springs being stressed between said webs orV stops ll5 andbushings or .followers 39a, formed'to correspond with the 39 of theprevious embushings 39 of the first embodiment with their small endsextending through corresponding apertures in the upper web of thestriking portion 2a and engaging the top of the block 192L to urge thesame against the supporting portion 18a of the casting, while at thesame time permitting upward movement thereof upon corresponding anglingof the associated coupler. In the present embodiment adjusting washerscorresponding to those designated 26a have been shown removed and thepins 27a are desirably retained in position as in the previousembodiment by cotters 3'?a extending through apertures 36a in a collar352L extending from the webs 45a. Except as specifically described, theconstruction in the present embodiment may correspond with that of thefirst embodiment, except, of course, that the blocks 19a and 252L canonly move away from each other against the action of the springs, aswill be understood.

Referring now to the embodiment of my invention illustrated in Figure 5,a construction is there disclosed in which the Wear blocks 191 and 25bare resiliently urged toward each other by springs 38b acting,respectively, against the heads 46 and nuts 47 of retaining bolts 27h,said springs preferably acting against the upper web of the block 25band the lower web of the block 19h, thereby economizing space andavoiding the necessity of extending the springs outwardly of thestriking casting proper. The initial tension in the springs 38b may beadjusted by turning the nuts 4'7 on the bolts 27h. It will be understoodthat, as contradistinguished from the previous embodiment, both upperand lower springs 38h act in tandem when the associated coupler anglesand moves either the lower block 25h downwardly or the upper block 19bupwardly but that the arrangement is not double acting as in the firstembodiment because the blocks are only permitted to move away from eachother from normal position. As in the previous embodiments, adjustingwashers 26b may be employed. Except as specifically described, theconstruction in the present embodiment may correspond with that of thefirst embodiment.

Referring now to the embodiment of my invention illustrated in Figure 6,a construction is there disclosed which is almost identical with that ofthe first embodiment, except that only the upper followers 39c areemployed for the wear block 19c and only the lower followers 39c areemployed for the wear block 252, whereby only movement of said blocksaway from each other is permitted as in the second and third embodimentsof my invention. The coil springs 38 in the block 25 act between theupper web of said block and the followers 39 in the lower web thereof,thereby urging said followers downwardly and the block upwardly againstthe stop flanges 23c or adjusting washers 26c thereagainst. In the sameway the coil springs 38c in the upper block 19C act between the lowerweb of said block and the followers 390, urging said followers upwardlyagainst the top web of the casting or adjusting washers 26c and urgingthe block 19c downwardly against the supporting flange 18c or adjustingwashers 26c thereon. As in the first embodiment, the retaining pins 27Cmay be held in position by cotters or the like 37C. Except asspecifically described, the construction may be identical with that ofthe first embodiment.

Referring now to the embodiment of my invention shown in Figure 7, aconstruction is there disclosed which permits swinging of the removablemembers or wear blocks upon withdrawing only one pin, whereby thecoupler may be inserted or removed when the wear blocks are swungoutwardly, as indicated in dot and dash lines, while the same are stillconnected to the combined casting at one end. In order to permit suchswinging, both ends of both wear blocks, the lower one 25d only beingshown, are preferably provided with ends rounded, as indicated at 48, sothat one or both blocks may not be swung outwardly like gates abouteither end upon removal of the other pin or bolt 27d only to provide anenlarged aperture above the sill tie portion for the same purpose as inthe first embodiment. Except as specically disclosed in connection withthe present embodiment, same may correspond substantially with that ofthe first embodiment.

From the foregoing description, taken in connection with theaccompanying drawings, it will be seen that I have devised a combinedstriking casting and sill tie member which is formed with pockets in theupper and lower portions thereof adapted to receive top and bottom wearblocks which are simultaneously retained by the same or commonfastenings. Said wear blocks are formed adjustable up and down tocorrect the coupler height and keep the top clearance at a practicalminimum, as well as being resiliently urged to normal positions formaintaining the coupler in normal position, while at the same timepermitting vertical angling thereof.

For convenience and economy of manufacture the blocks are desirablyformed interchangeable, reversible and renewable for wear or breakage.The adjusting means for said blocks preferably takes the form of washersor shims which are held in place by pins or bolts which retain theblocks in position. The striking casting is formed so that upon removalof the blocks an aperture 49 of ample size is provided for insertion andremoval of the coupler 20 and particularly the swiven butt portion 50thereof, which, as will be understood, is of greater size than the buttof a coupler with a rigid stem, and pivoted to the coupler by a pivotpin extending through intercalated flanges on the stem of the couplerand the butt portion 50, such as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, as well as inmy prior Patent No. 1,431,717, of October 10, 1922. As in said patent,the rear end face to the butt 50 is adapted to transmit bufflng forcesto associated cushioning mechanism, not shown. By providing removableblocks above and below the stem of a coupler, not only is it possible toinsert the removable butt of the coupler while assembled, especially asthe flange or web 14 is decreased in depth above said coupler, but theheight of the coupler may be accurately adjusted by positioning thelower block25 and the clearance above said coupler maintained at apractical minimum by adjusting the position of the upper block 19.

On account of providing removable blocks 19 and 25 above and below thestem of the associated coupler 20 rather than having one block of acorrespondingly increased size which is adapted for removal when thebutt of the coupler is inserted or withdrawn, I am enabled to decreasethe overall height of the combined casting, as will be understood, andat the same time provide a casting which is more desirable in otherrespects in that the upper portions thereof are renewable, and ifdesired, swingable to inoperative position without kcomplete detachmentfrom the striking casting. Although I have shown resilient means orsprings the associated coupler.

wear blocks received in both the wear blocks and casting proper, thereis some advantage in incorporating said springs in the blocks as eventof breakage of one or more of the springs and particularly the bottomsprings, the block or blocks may be readily shimmed to the desiredposition by the application of a suitable number of washers, such aspreviously referred to, said washers being retained by the retainingpins or bolts, as will be understood. By making the. blocks symmetricaland with the upper and lower be turned to expose another face to wear,thereby materially increasing the life of the block.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

l. A combined casting comprising portions serving, respectively, as astriking casting and sill tie member, said casting being formed withpockets adjacent the upper and lower portions thereof, top and bottomwear blocks, respectively, received in said pockets and simultaneouslyretained by common fasteners, said blocks being spaced to receive thestem of an associated coupler therebetween, and resilient meansassociated with said blocks for maintaining them in place whilepermitting movement thereof upon vertical angling of the coupler.

2. A combined casting comprising portions serving, respectively, as astriking casting and sill tie member, said portions being spaced topermit the insertion of the butt of a swivel butt coupler, thoseportions of the the s :iking and sill to receive the stem of the couplertherebetween, up and down to correct the coupler height and keep the topclearance at a practical minimum, and springs associated with said wearblocks for urging them into normal position While permitting movementaway from each other to allow for vertical angling oi 3. A combinedcasting serving, respectively, as a striking casting and sill tiemember, said combined casting being formed with pockets respectivelydisposed adjaf cent the top and bottom thereof, vertically spaced saidpockets, said top block serving as a coupler stop member or strikingwear block and the bottom block serving as a coupler carrier block, saidblocks being interchangeable and resiliently retained in position forgoverning vertical movement of the comprising portions coupler in Ybothdirections.

4. A combined casting comprising portions serving, respectively, as astriking casting and sill tie member, said portions being connected bysides provided with rearward continuations adapted for connection withassociated car sills, said sides being provided with pockets',respectively disposed adjacent the upper and lower ends thereof, astriking wear block received in said upper pockets and a coupler wearblock received in said lower pockets, said blocks being reversable forincreasing the life thereof, springs for urging the upper blockdownwardly into position and additional springs for urging the lowerblock upwardly into position.

5. A combined casting comprising portions serving, respectively, as astriking casting and sill tie member, the upper portion of said castingbeing pocketedfor receiving a striking Wear block and the lower portionbeing pocketed for receiving a coupler carrier wear block, said pocketspermitting limited movement or" the wear blocks therein, adjustingwashers or liners disposed befor properly positioning ing the height ofan associated coupler and maintaining the clearance above said couplerat a practical minimum, and springs for resiliently urging said blockstogether while permitting movement away from each other upon verticalangling or" the associated coupler.

6. A combined casting comprising portions serving, respectively, as atie member, wear blocks, respectively held in place adjacent thestriking portions and above the sill tie member and spaced to receivethe stem of an associated coupler therebetween, the ends of said blocksand the adjacent portions of the casting being formed with registeringapertures, retaining pins insertabley throughsaid apertures, coilsprings surrounding said pins and resiliently holding said blocks inproper position, and locking means for preventing undesired removal ofsaid pins. y

7. in a coupler guiding device'comprising portions serving,respectively, as a striking casting and sill tie member, avisar blockheld in place adjacent the striking portion, said block being spacedabove the sill tie member for receiving the stem of a couplerthere'oeneath, pins extending through the ends of said block andportions of said device for holding said block in place, said ends beingcurved so that the block is swingable to inoperative position abouteither end pin when the other pin only is removed, and resilient meansassociated with said pins for urging said block into proper position.

S. In a coupler guiding device comprising portions serving,respectively, as a striking casting and sill tie member, a wear blockremovably held in place above the sill tie member, said block beingspaced to permit receiving the stem of a. coupler between it and thestriking portion, said block being held ends ofsaid block and portionsof said device, said Yends being curved so that the block is swingableto inoperative position about one end pin upon removal of only the pinthrough the other end, and resilient means associated with and held inplace by said pins for urging said block into proper position.

9. A combined casting comprising portions serving, respectively, as astriking casting and sill tie member, wear blocks, respectively held inplace adjacent the striking portion and above the sill tie portion andspaced to receive the stem of an associated coupler therebetween, theends of said blocks and the adjacent portions of the casting beingformed registering apertures, retaining pins inserta-ble throughapertures, coil springs surrounding said pins resiliently holding theblocks in the desired position, the ends of said blocks being curved topermit swinging of one or both to inoperative position about one or"said pins when the other only is removed.

10. A combined casting comprising portions serving, respectively, as astriking casting and sill tie member, wear blocks, respectively held inplace striking casting and sill adjacent the striking portion and abovethe sill tie portion, said blocks being spaced to receive the stem of anassociated coupler therebetween, the ends of said blocks and theadjacent portions of the casting being formed with registeringapertures, retaining pins insertable through said apertures, followersslidably mounted. on said pins and received in some of said apertures,and coil springs mounted on said pins and urging said followers towardssaid blocks for holding said blocks in the desired positions whilepermitting movement thereof away from said positions upon verticalangling of the associated coupler.

11. In a railway vehicle in combination with sills, a member connectingthe end portions of said. sills and formed with an opening for receivingthe stem of a coupler, top and bottom wear members extending from thesides of said connecting member, spanning said opening, and verticallyspaced to receive the stem of a coupler therebetween, common fastenersextending through said wear members and portions of said connectingmember, and resilient means associated with said fasteners forpermitting restrained movement of said wear members upon verticalangling of the associated coupler.

12. In a railwaj7 vehicle in combination with sills, a member connectingthe ends of said sills and provided with an opening adapted to receivethe stem of an associated coupler, wear members respectively held inplace adjacent the upper and lower portions of said opening and spacedto receive the stem of an associated coupler therebetween, the ends ofsaid members and the adjacent portions of said connecting member beingformed with registering apertures, retaining means disposed beyond thesides of the the opening and insertable through said apertures, and coilsprings surrounding said retaining means for resiliently holding saidmembers in proper position.

13. In a railway vehicle, in combination, a coupler mounted for verticalangling and means associated with said coupler for restraining saidangling comprising top and bottom members between which the stem of saidcoupler is normally disposed, common fasteners retaining said members inposition, and resilient means associated with said members forpermittingl restrained movement thereof upon vertical angling of thecoupler.

14;. A combined casting comprising portions serving respectively as astriking casting and sill tie member, said portions being spaced topermit the insertion of a coupler stem having an enlarged butt, a pairof wear blocks, one of said blocks being resiliently held in placeadjacent the striking portion and the other being resiliently held inplace above and adjacent the sill tie portion, and shims associated withsaid blocks for allowing vertical adjustment to correct the couplerheight and keep the top clearance at a practical minimum, said blocksbeing independently movable and normally vertically spaced to receivethe stem of an associated coupler therebetween and govern verticalmovement thereof in both directions.

15. A combined casting comprising portions serving respectively as astriking casting and sill tie member, independently renewable wearblocks, one of said blocks being supported and held in place adjacentthe striking portion and the other spaced therebelow adjacent the silltie member, and both simultaneously retained by common fasteners, thespace between said blocks providing for the stem of an associatedcoupler,

said blocks when removed leaving an enlarged aperture through thecasting sucient for inserting or withdrawing an enlarged butt on saidcoupler, and springs associated with said blocks for resilientlyretaining them in position.

16. A combined casting comprising portions serving respectively as astriking casting and sill tie member, said casting being formed withpockets adjacent the upper portion thereof, a wear block with its endportions received in said pockets for holding it adjacent said strikingportion, said block being spaced above the sill tie member for receivingthe stem of a coupler therebetween and held in place by pins extendingthrough the portions thereof in said pockets, and resilient meansencircling said pins for holding said block in place while permittingvertical movement thereof to allow for vertical angling of an associatedcoupler.

17. A combined casting comprising portions serving respectively as astriking casting and sill tie member, said casting having pocketsadjacent the lower portions thereof, a wear block with its end portionsremovably held in said pockets and normally disposed adjacent the silltie member, said block having a web adapted to support a coupler andspaced from the striking portion for receiving the stem of a couplertherebetween, upright pins extending through the end portions of saidblock and corresponding portions of said casting, and coil springsdisposed below the coupler supporting web and encircling said pins forresiliently holding said block in proper position.

18. In combination with the draft sills of a railway vehicle, a memberadapted for connection thereto and normally functioning as a stop for anassociated coupler, said member having pockets adjacent the upperportions thereof, and a wear block with end portions received in saidpockets and normally positioned above the stem of said coupler, pinsintersecting the end portions of said block in said pockets and adjacentportions of said member for connecting said block thereto, andvertically acting resilient means holding said block in place andadapted to yield in permitting upward restrained angling of saidcoupler.

19. In combination with the draft sills of a railway vehicle, a memberadapted for connection thereto and functioning as a tie therebetween,said member having pockets adjacent the lower portions thereof, a wearblock with end portions received in said pockets and adapted to engagethe stem of an associated coupler for supporting the latter, andresilient means disposed in said pockets and acting between said memberand block for supporting the latter from said member while permittingdownward restrained angling of said coupler.

20. In combination with a coupler stem receiving casting formed withpockets adjacent the lower portions thereof, a wear block with endportions removably held in place in said pockets, said wear block beingprovided with a web adapted to support the stem of a coupler, side websextending below said web for reinforcing the stem, means disposed insaid pockets and intersecting end portions of said block and adjacentportions of said casting for holding said block in place, and resilientmeans disposed between said supporting web and the lower portion of saidcasting for resiliently holding said block in position.

DONALD S. BARROWS.

